Page 136 of Storm of Bells
‘Would ye like to borrow my bagof…equipment?’
I threw a glance at Mr Rikkard Ambrose’s fastapproaching figure. Maybe it was just my imagination, but it seemedas though at the word ‘equipment’, his little finger did a rapidtap-dance against his fist.
‘Err…Maybe later.’
‘Miss Linton!’ Mr Ambrose’s voice cut throughthe air like a razor of ice. ‘Come here!’
‘Um…have to go now! Bye!’
I dashed farther down the corridor. Behindme, I could hear the measured footsteps of Mr Rikkard Ambrose.Darn! He wasn’t even running. He was just marching, but with thosedamnable long legs of his, he was still catching up fast!
Too bad. I’ll guess he’ll catch you sooneror later, won’t he?
Trying my best not to grin from ear to ear, Idashed around the closest corner.
‘Miss Linton! I command you to stop! Youcannot be serious about this matter. A wedding is a serious affairand you cannot expect me to condone the presence of these threetroublesome, nefarious—’
Adaira stuck her head into the corridor.
‘Is someone talking about me?’
Mr Ambrose’s footsteps ceased abruptly. ‘No!Go back to your room!’
‘But—’
‘No buts! Go back to your room, lock thedoor, throw the key out of the window and wait in there until thosethree females have left!’
Carol and Jenny stuck their heads out ofAdaira’s room right beside her. ‘Which three females?’ Jennyenquired. ‘Dere ain’t any bad apples among yer lady friends, aredere?’
My dear future husband made anindistinguishable noise, and I decided it might be a good idea toget a head start.
‘Adaira! Get out of that room!’
‘But I thought you wanted me to stayinsi—’
‘Get out, now!’
‘Men! You can’t make up your mind, can you?Very well…’ She gave a sigh, and I heard footsteps. ‘Come on, youtwo, let’s go.’
‘Not you two!’ Mr Ambrose’s command cutthrough the air. ‘You stay in there!’
‘But that way we ain’t able to chat with yersister!’
‘Exactly!’ Adaira added. ‘They’re such nicegirls. And they have such interesting stories to tell—’
That sentence was interrupted by a yelp and adoor slamming shut. I didn’t need to hear Adaira’s followingbarrage of curses to divine that Mr Ambrose was manhandling hissister to a safe location, out of earshot of Jenny and Carol. Itook the opportunity and dashed the rest of the way down thecorridor, and straight into our room.
There, I waited.
And waited.
And…
Hard, rapid footsteps came down the corridor.My heart started pounding rapidly against my ribs. He wascoming.
Any moment now…
Any moment…
